We’re continually grateful to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for special permission to share book excerpts here at Christianity 201.
Today’s devotional is one you might want to read aloud to any kids or early teens you have nearby right now. Devotions Daily kicked off this one earlier this week with a note saying that some of their most popular readings are actually kids devotionals. (I’ve found that to be true in my work connecting people with resources; there’s a Max Lucado devotional that I’ve recommended for men more than I’ve recommended it for children.)
This one is an excerpt from You Can Count on God: 100 Devotions for Kids.
[Adults: Check out the bonus item at the bottom of the page today.]
If it’s possible that anyone here doesn’t know Max Lucado, he as been a pastor in churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 130 million books in print.
Click the header which follows to read this at Devotions Daily.
A Great Idea
God’s fingerprints are all over you.
I praise You because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What You have done is wonderful. I know this very well. — Psalm 139:14
You are a great idea! I don’t mean you have great ideas — though I’m sure you do! I mean that you yourself are a great idea. How do I know that? Because you are God’s idea — and He only has great ideas.
When God sat down to create the very first man and woman, He said,
Let Us make human beings in Our image and likeness. — Genesis 1:26
God didn’t say, “Let us make oceans in our image” or “flowers in our likeness” or “giraffes in our likeness.” Nothing else in all of God’s creation is made in His likeness. Not plants, or weeds, or trees. Not elephants, anteaters, or even the cutest little puppy. Not stars, or mountains, or seas. Only people — including you and me.
What does it mean to be made in God’s likeness? It means you are made to look like Him. Maybe not on the outside. But on the inside, in your heart and mind and soul. Does that mean you’re perfect? Nope, nobody is. Except Jesus, of course. But it does mean that you take after Him. You get your kindness and your courage from Him. And when you love and help and forgive others, that’s when you look the most like Him.
In this world, people will sometimes see your mistakes as a reason to laugh at you. Some people might call you names. Others might decide not to be your friend because of where you live or the way you look. Don’t listen to them. Instead, remember this:
You are made in the image of God.
You’re a diamond, a precious jewel. You are so important to God, so loved by Him, that He sent His only Son to save you.
You can’t see them, but God’s fingerprints are all over you. So be sure to thank God today for His great idea of making you!
Remember
You are God’s great idea!
Excerpted with permission from You Can Count on God by Max Lucado, copyright 2022 Max Lucado.
Bonus item:
Two weeks ago I was listening to some older interview excerpts at Canadian Church Leader’s Podcast, and I came across several things recorded with Kim Moran when she was a pastor at a Pentecostal Church in Abbotsford BC. Kim is a friend of a friend, so I listened with interest.
One of the questions was about her church’s seven core values, and I transcribed them to present here without additional commentary. You can listen to the full 4-minutes at this link.
Diversity over Division
Great over Good
Servants over Stars
Cooperation over Competition
Extraordinary over Expected
Restoration over Rejection
Victors over Victims
What a great set of core values; agree?
Also available, new from Max Lucado, the adult edition:
Christianity 201 
Leave a Reply